The Master's Program in English Literature
Applying to the Master’s program
Look for Program Code E25MA when searching in the online application system
application deadline
Applications for Fall 2027 matriculation are due on Wednesday, March 31st by 11:59 pm (CST)
IMPORTANT
Never have application materials sent directly to The Graduate School or the Office of Admissions.
Applications for the Master's degree are considered for Fall matriculation only, and are evaluated only after the submission deadline.
Prospective students must submit all application materials by the deadline listed above, and they must be uploaded through The Graduate School's application system. Please do not send, or have sent, paper copies of any documents. If you or your recommenders are having difficulty submitting any component of the application online, and the application system's online help is unable to resolve your problem, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.
In all cases, our department's specifics regarding supplemental materials supersede those listed on The Graduate School's website, as well as any listed in the application itself.
Supplemental Application Materials
The English Department requires that the following documents be submitted as part of the online application for the MA program (program code E25MA):
- One copy of the OFFICIAL transcript from the Registrar of each institution you've attended;
- You do not need to send the original document; a pdf, scan, or photograph of the transcript will suffice
- We cannot accept unofficial grade reports from your online student record
- Transcripts for non-degree courses are not needed
- Transfer credits and courses taken as part of a study-abroad program will usually be included in your degree-awarding institution's transcript. There's no need to submit separate transcripts from those other institutions.
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation, (we strongly advise three)
- An academic statement (1000 word max) which answers the following questions: what are your academic interests, why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in our department, how has your academic and professional background prepared you for graduate study, and how will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals? Please include mention of any research, training, or educational experiences you have that would be relevant to our program.
- A personal statement (500 words max) describing formative experiences you would like the admissions committee to know about. These can include pivotal experiences and/or challenges that have influenced your educational and professional development; leadership experiences; community outreach; service initiatives; or research projects you have participated in or plan to pursue that aim to positively impact others in the broader community. Other matters you would like to share with the admissions committee that are not discussed elsewhere in the application can also be addressed here, including any gaps in your academic and professional experience, or additional context if you believe your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon topics discussed in the academic statement.
- A sample of your writing on a literary topic - ideally a critical essay - between 12 and 25 pages. Scholarly citations must be included, but do not count against the page limit;
- Times New Roman 12 pt, double spaced
- Please do not submit creative writing samples of any kind
- All non-native English speaking applicants are required to report scores from either the TOEFL or the IELTS exam;
- The Graduate School has established English language requirements for foreign applicants. For more information, visit the Graduate School's website for test scores here.
- Foreign applicants who have attended English-speaking universities may be exempt from the TOEFL, IELTS. Rules governing exemptions from this requirement can be found in our FAQ
- Additional details from Northwestern's Graduate School about the application (including further details on the TOEFL/IELTS requirement, transcript submission, application fees, etc...) can be found on The Graduate School's website.